Boot Help!

K

kswanson

New member
I am new to the forums and thought I'd post a question about boots.

I bought a pair of boots last season and after the first wear I got terrible blisters.

The boots fit and feel fine to me but I must get heel movement.

I went hunting last weekend and sure enough had the same thing happen.

I wouldn't be writing this for small blisters.. these are fifty cent or larger.

Looking for some pointers.. perhaps I am tying them wrong or there is a trick to preventing them, etc.

The boot brand is Georgia $135.00
http://www.georgiaboot.com/products/9158/1600G9555/Georgia-FLXpoint-Insulated-Waterproof-Work-Boots/
 
I dont know what to tell you about the boots probably just need to be broken in. To help with the blisters on you heal use mole skin. Have a buddy in the military and he swears by it.
 
If they are old fashioned leather, no gore tex, etc. try soaking them in warm water, wearing them wet, as they dry, they will form to your feet. Used to do it all the time. it works, and used to be recommended by the manufactureres in some cases.
 
It sounds like the boots don't fit your properly. If you can I'd send thm back and try something else. In the mean time you have an issue with the blisters on your heels and they will continue to be a bother until they heal even with proper fitting boots. I second what Tbear said, use MoleSkin. I developed some sore heels this year myself and having been using Moleskin every time out. Makes all the difference in the world. It's a Dr. Scholl's product and can be found in most stores.

http://www.drscholls.com/drscholls/productSearch.do?method=doProductDetailsLookup&searchArg=67
 
I have found that the Band-Aid and Nexcare blister pads have worked pretty good for me. I've used them with a blister and to prevent blisters. I really like the Nexcare brand the best. I found that after hunting all day, they stayed where I placed them and didn't roll off.
 
Try wearing sock liners, as the sock liner/hunting sock creates the slip surfaces verse your foot/hunting sock. Also, you can use athletic tape or duct tape on your heal. Either apply as a preventative before any blisters, or as soon as you feel a hot spot. If you are too late and have a blister, apply a band-aid or blister pad, then over tape with either of the two tapes above to help hold it in place.
 
Duct Tape is the answer

After playing 14 years of hockey I my feet are hashed and the most prominent feature being big callus knobs one the back and outside of my heels. Lovely I know. Now after you've stopped envisioning how ugly my feet are, I'll tell you that the easiest and cheapest solution to where a boot is rubbing on your foot is duct tape. It truly is one of the world's greatest inventions. So if you're still trying to break in boots, apply the duct tape directly to your skin (make sure you're skin is dry and clean) where you are blistered or usually blister. The sock and thus the boot will slide smoothly over the area covered in tape so that there is no blister causing friction.

Downside being you'll get funny looks from those seeing you put it on or take it off and sometimes some of the adhesive remains on your skin but that can be rubbed or washed off.
 
oldandnew said:
If they are old fashioned leather, no gore tex, etc. try soaking them in warm water, wearing them wet, as they dry, they will form to your feet. Used to do it all the time. it works, and used to be recommended by the manufactureres in some cases.
Click to expand...

:thumbsup: +1

I grew up in the Ranger Regiment and have done some humping. Soak the boots in scalding hot water for about a half hour and then keep em on till they dry. For the blisters use mole skin to protect em or you can shoot benzoin tincture in to them with a needle. I've done it many times and you'll jump around like Daffy Duck :eek: for awhile but the next morning your blisters will be rock hard and ready to walk on again.

Make sure no women or kids are within earshot when you inject the benzoin.
 
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Freebyrd17 said:
After playing 14 years of hockey I my feet are hashed and the most prominent feature being big callus knobs one the back and outside of my heels. Lovely I know. Now after you've stopped envisioning how ugly my feet are, I'll tell you that the easiest and cheapest solution to where a boot is rubbing on your foot is duct tape. It truly is one of the world's greatest inventions. So if you're still trying to break in boots, apply the duct tape directly to your skin (make sure you're skin is dry and clean) where you are blistered or usually blister. The sock and thus the boot will slide smoothly over the area covered in tape so that there is no blister causing friction.

Downside being you'll get funny looks from those seeing you put it on or take it off and sometimes some of the adhesive remains on your skin but that can be rubbed or washed off.
Click to expand...

Check you this video.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Re2KDzfIVVg&feature=related
 
Freebyrd, I have a similar problem as you with my feet. I have developed large callus' on the back of my heels. I have a terrible time finding boots that fit good and don't rub my heels raw. I've been using moleskin and it works good as long as it stays on. So the other night I was searching the web looking for anything that would help my problem and I ran across the duck tape video. I also ordered some Heel Liners to see if they will help.
http://www.shoeandfootcare.com/p/203-009-00/heel_liner_sof_sole.html
I bought a pair of Irish Setter Tamaracks earlier this eyar. I liked the boots but I tried everything to prevent them from rubbing my heels and just couldn't find a solution. Then a couple of days ago I was hunting with them on in wet grass and after a couple hours my feet got wet. Sent them back to Cabela's yesterday. I'm back to my old Irish Setters and a pair of Danner Pronghorns. I'm going to try the duck tape next time out. Let us know how it works for you.
 
Dakotazeb said:
Check you this video.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Re2KDzfIVVg&feature=related
Click to expand...

Dakotazeb said:
Freebyrd, I have a similar problem as you with my feet. I have developed large callus' on the back of my heels. I have a terrible time finding boots that fit good and don't rub my heels raw. I've been using moleskin and it works good as long as it stays on. So the other night I was searching the web looking for anything that would help my problem and I ran across the duck tape video. I also ordered some Heel Liners to see if they will help.
http://www.shoeandfootcare.com/p/203-009-00/heel_liner_sof_sole.html
I bought a pair of Irish Setter Tamaracks earlier this eyar. I liked the boots but I tried everything to prevent them from rubbing my heels and just couldn't find a solution. Then a couple of days ago I was hunting with them on in wet grass and after a couple hours my feet got wet. Sent them back to Cabela's yesterday. I'm back to my old Irish Setters and a pair of Danner Pronghorns. I'm going to try the duck tape next time out. Let us know how it works for you.
Click to expand...

It's always worked for me Zeb. I've used duct tape to break in hunting boots, hockey skates, and even a couple pairs of golf shoes for when my feet got sweaty. It's always worked for me. I've even been told by a nurse friend of mine that "taping down" a blister with duct tape will cause the body to reabsorb the fluid along with reducing the risk of friction on the area.
 
Freebyrd17 said:
It's always worked for me Zeb. I've used duct tape to break in hunting boots, hockey skates, and even a couple pairs of golf shoes for when my feet got sweaty. It's always worked for me. I've even been told by a nurse friend of mine that "taping down" a blister with duct tape will cause the body to reabsorb the fluid along with reducing the risk of friction on the area.
Click to expand...

I've practiced putting duck tape on as in the video. I find it impossible to get the tape to be smooth as it ends up having a lot of wrinkles and creases in it. Will this create any problems or is it not a concern?
 
Dakotazeb said:
I've practiced putting duck tape on as in the video. I find it impossible to get the tape to be smooth as it ends up having a lot of wrinkles and creases in it. Will this create any problems or is it not a concern?
Click to expand...

Wrinkles haven't given me any problems in the past Zeb. I do try to keep it flat and smooth over the area of irritation with the expectation that there will be wrinkles on the edges where the tape is conforming to the curves of the foot. I suppose if you wanted to, you could cut into the wrinkles and fold the two halves over eachother but that might be a lot more work.
 
This morning I ordered anther pair of new boots. Maybe if I try enough I'll find some that will work for me. I ordered a pair of Danner Big Horns.
http://www.danner.com/boots/big-horntm-gtxr-hunting-boots.html
I'll report back after I have had a chance to test them in the field. Gander Mountain had them for $119.96 with free shipping.
 
Dakotazeb said:
This morning I ordered anther pair of new boots. Maybe if I try enough I'll find some that will work for me. I ordered a pair of Danner Big Horns.
http://www.danner.com/boots/big-horntm-gtxr-hunting-boots.html
I'll report back after I have had a chance to test them in the field. Gander Mountain had them for $119.96 with free shipping.
Click to expand...

Good call Zeb. Coincidentally enough, I just bought a new pair of Danner Pronghorns last night. My old ones aren't keeping the water out anymore. Not much fun as it gets colder. I'll be breaking them in this weekend and bringing the old pair as backups.
 
Freebyrd17 said:
Good call Zeb. Coincidentally enough, I just bought a new pair of Danner Pronghorns last night. My old ones aren't keeping the water out anymore. Not much fun as it gets colder. I'll be breaking them in this weekend and bringing the old pair as backups.
Click to expand...

I have a 2 year old pair of Pronghorns. Thought I'd try something different. Did you get the old style pronghorns or the new ones with the toe & heel caps? I've read a bunch of complaints about the new ones that they aren't the same and/or as comfortable as the old ones.
 
Dakotazeb said:
I have a 2 year old pair of Pronghorns. Thought I'd try something different. Did you get the old style pronghorns or the new ones with the toe & heel caps? I've read a bunch of complaints about the new ones that they aren't the same and/or as comfortable as the old ones.
Click to expand...

I went with the new pair with the toe and heel caps. I'll let you know how they work out.
 
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